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Wednesday

Jan 23, 2013 at 12:01 AMJan 23, 2013 at 3:04 PM

Area entertaining events in the next few days

THE STRAIGHT 8S/Kinston

This three-man band based in Chapel Hill will perform live at 9 p.m. Friday at The Red Room, 220 N. Herritage St. For more than a decade, the band has performed countless shows throughout the Southeast with its combustible blend of high-octane rock-a-billy music. The show is free. Call 252-208-2437.

SMALL TOWN GOSSIP/Kinston

Small Town gossip will perform a free concert at 9 p.m. Saturday at The Red Room, 220 N. Herritage St. North Carolina singer/songwriter Steven Hall, guitarist Daniel Seriff, and bass player Nathan Scott attended the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem. In 2007, Hall and Seriff began making music together. After touring the state as a duo, the two formed Small Town Gossip with Scott in 2009. For information, call 252-208-2437.

AUDITIONS/New Bern

The Rivertowne Players are holding auditions for four leading ladies for The Marvelous Wonderettes, from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Masonic Theater, 516 Hancock St. The age range is from 16 to late 30s to play mid-20-year-olds who possess strong voices with wide vocal ranges. Those auditioning must have a strong sense of comedy, be able to move well and have harmonizing capabilities. All roles are leads in the high energy, fun-filled production, to be presented at 8 p.m. April 26, 27, May 2, 3 and 4, and at 3 p.m. April 28 and May 5. Contact 252-634-7877 or Players@gmail.com.

CONCERTS /New Bern and Morehead City

The Ventus Wind Ensemble will provide French Wind Music presented in a light-hearted, humor-filled way from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday in the Cullman Performance Hall of the N.C. History Center, 529 S. Front St., New Bern. Ensemble members  all faculty of the N.C. School of the Arts  will perform Debussy, Poulenc, Milhaud, Dukas and Ibert on flute, clarinet, oboe, horn, bassoon and piano. They will be joined by resident artist Barbara McKenzie, pianist. Cost is $25, $20 for Tryon Palace Council of Friends and military, and $10 for students with ID. Call 252-638-8558.

Goose Creek State Park will host a discussion at 2 p.m. Saturday about a 375-acre portion of the park that is designated by the National Park Service as a National Natural Landmark and what that means. The discussion will be followed by a one-mile hike to get a first-hand look at the unique natural features of the area. Meet at the Swim Beach Parking Lot. The park is at 2190 Camp Leach Road, 10 miles east of Washington off U.S. 264. For information, call 252-923-2191.